Just came home from a hard day of shopping at the mall, made especially bad because I didn't buy anything! But that's okay, my trip was not wasted because on the way home a moment ago I heard Ohlsson playing Chopin's Bolero which I know very well and was in fact working on recently. Yes, I have heard Ohlsson play Chopin before and was duly impressed and all that, but this was probably the best playing of the Bolero I have ever heard! Really, I'm in such awe right now - every trill, accent, and phrase was perfectly executed - just stunning WOW

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

Chopin's "Bolero", an early opus, somehow has never convinced me. It was probably one of the earlier attempts to suggest the style of Spanish music, but didn't quite hit the mark. It's seldom heard on programs, somewhat like Chopin's Impromptus. But that's just my own opinion.

I too have always liked Garrick Ohlsson. He plays Chopin very well (and was the first American to win the Chopin Competition). I recall when he was probably in his 20s or early 30s and played Baldwin pianos back then. Around that time I watched a video about him, and there was a part in there where he was being coached by Irma Wolpe, one of the important NYC pedagogues at the time. It was quite interesting. Very recently I saw a 2010 video on YouTube and he looks way older (and... I'm a few years older than he--time has flown by!).

I hope to submit a couple of short pieces to PS in January. Lately I haven't had as much practice time available, which has slowed me down.

Happy New Year to you!

David

_________________"Interpreting music means exploring the promise of the potential of possibilities." David April

Last edited by Rachfan on Thu Feb 10, 2011 11:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Chopin's "Bolero", an early opus, somehow has never convinced me. It was probably one of the earlier attempts to suggest the style of Spanish music, but didn't quite hit the mark. It's seldom heard on programs, somewhat like Chopin's Impromptus. But that's just my own opinion. ...

David

I couldn't agree more. I decided to plan the 2nd half of a recital as "Spanish" and quickly decided against Chopin's Bolero as I listened to Rubinstein's performance (because of the composition, not the performance). It sound more like a Polonaise to me.

_________________Eddy M. del Rio, MD"A smattering will not do. They must know all the keys, major and minor, and they must literally 'know them backwards.'" - Josef Lhevinne

I know what you mean. I think this is about the third time I have put the Bolero up on my piano with the intent of getting it down all the way. I keep trying to give it a chance, but just like the other times, I grew bored with it and have once again put it away. Oh well....you win some, you lose some.... Regarding Ohlsson, I also watched a video of his on Youtube recently - some sort of master class or workshop. I can't remember what it was now, but there was something very interesting in it, if I could remember it....

Rachfan wrote:

I hope to submit a couple of short pieces to PS in January. Lately I haven't had as much practice time available, which has slowed me down.

Happy New Year to you!

David

Same here. I was hoping to record something today even, but it didn't happen. Maybe next week - I too have not been practicing as much as I would like. Too much going on.Happy New Year to you too, David! I've got about 45-minutes to go....

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

... And his recording of the complete Chopin Polonaises is very musical, artistic, and dazzling. It is exceedingly well recorded as a complete set, which is rare for any artist. He even plays the posthumous ones too! The G-flat and D minor are especially well rendered and inspired. After all, he did win the Chopin Competition in 1970 - When it used to be prestigious before 2010.

_________________"Nobility of spirit has more to do with simplicity than ostentation, wisdom rather than wealth, commitment rather than ambition." ~Riccardo Muti

I greatly admire Ohlsson's control and finesse. Has anybody read Ohlsson's article on technique that came out in one of the fall 2010 issues of Clavier Companion (can't remember which one right now)? It was very helpful, particularly in the area of eliminating unnecessary tension.

_________________Though everything else may appear shallow and repulsive, even the smallest task in music is so absorbing, and carries us so far away from town, country, earth, and all worldly things, that it is truly a blessed gift of God.

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